Hey you guys! While this part is shorter (for which I do apologize), it took me longer to write this than the first part. So I do hope you guys enjoy it :)
The Aftermath | Part 2
I opened my eyes and saw my mother on the chair beside the bed, her head in her hands and her frame appearing to be a little more weakened. I tried swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat, but to no avail.
"Mom," I said with a hoarse voice. She quickly sprang to my side upon hearing my voice. "Rohit, are you okay baccha? Does your head still hurt? Are you okay?"
I could see relief in her eyes, but I could also see the worry that was etched in them. She kissed my forehead and hugged me, but didn't say another word. I could hear her sniffling and felt her hand pry off my back to wipe away her tears, however she said nothing and as usual, nor did I. I just hugged her tight, tears of my own threatening to drop unannounced. The other members of the family soon joined in it seemed as I heard their footsteps. But I kept my grip on my mother tight and didn't look at anyone else. I didn't have the courage, nor the strength, to explain anything. No one knew, and while I was ashamed of having hidden such an integral part of my life from the people I loved the most, it's also true that I wouldn't have done it any differently.
Talking about her brought forth the memories of our time. It was self-inflicted torture. The more I spoke about her, the more I remembered everything. Every. Little. Thing.
The way her laugh once used to light up my days. The way her voice once used to soothe my inner chaos. The way the twinkle in her eyes once used to radiate my life.
And then the day... September 26. It wasn't just the day of her accident. No... there was more to it. More than anyone knew. More than I've been able to put into words for anyone.
Honestly, I was just tired; so damn tired.
There was a tingling numbness spreading through the tips of my fingers, and before I could pull myself out of it, my surroundings began fading out.
--
"Naren, you should take Mummy ji home. I'll stay here with Rohit. Dr. Dogra mentioned that he is stable but if there's any change in his condition, I'll call you right away."
"Are you sure Veena? Will you be alright?" Naren said pensively. He was worried for Rohit of course, but he was also concerned about Veena. And while the concern was something he voiced out, he knew his attempts to ask her to head home would be even more futile so he didn't even bother. He took the family home, leaving Veena alone with Rohit for the evening and perhaps the night if Rohit's condition did not improve.
--
"Shankar, could you please take me to the Sippy Hospital?"
I felt an inexplicable urge to visit Rohit today. I typically never had an issue switching on-and-off from being Sonakshi and into Parvati. However, even as I donned Parvati's character today, I couldn't stop myself from thinking about Rohit. I knew he was hurting - actually I've known that since quite a while now. But he was treading on thin ice now. The Rohit I had seen on the streets of Pune had been a stark contrast to the one I supposedly knew. The helplessness in his eyes, the guilt. I knew it was consuming him entirely, and while I was sure that my visit would probably hardly make a difference, I still had to try.
As I entered the hospital and onto the floor where he was currently being kept, I saw just Veena aunty sitting in the corridor. Her hands on her forehead and her foot anxiously tapping the floor underneath it.
I sat beside her, though she didn't register my presence until I put my hand on her shoulder. "How is he doing aunty?" I asked.
She looked at me and smiled sadly, "He's doing better. The doctors do want to keep him a little longer, but he should be out by tomorrow for sure."
I nodded and tried to smile back. "How are you?"
She shook her head and smiled some more. "I've always been worried about him you know. Ever since...," she trailed off.
"I know it must have been hard for you to see him after all that happened with Raima. But isn't there som..." but she cut me off before I could even finish my sentence. Placing a hand on mine, she said "You know about Raima?"
I looked at her, not realizing at the moment how shocked she was at this revelation. "He's never said anything about her to anyone but me..."
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